Crissy Field Dog Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for responsible dog ownership and establishing and upholding permanent off-leash dog walking rights within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA).

CFDG is working directly with the GGNRA, our Congressional delegation, and other stakeholders to advocate off-leash dog walking and other recreation issues within the GGNRA. These areas include Crissy Field and other GGNRA lands in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties. It is our ultimate goal to restore permanent off-leash dog walking and preserve recreation as an important resource value within the GGNRA. As an organized non-profit group, we have a substantial membership base and voice in the San Francisco Bay Area.

January 10, 2018

Earlier today, CFDG sent a letter to the GGNRA’s Superintendent Laura Joss, requesting that an addendum be put in place to formally finalize the GGNRA’s Dog Managment Plan and Rulemaking process. We believe that this addendum is necessary to complete the administrative process announced in NPS’ December 2017 Notice of the Federal Register, indicating that NPS had terminated the Dog Managment Planning process.

It is unclear how NPS/GGNRA will respond but we believe very strongly that we need to have this place so we can have complete closure on this issue.

January 9, 2018

The Crissy Field Dog Group created a short video that provides a quick overview of the GGNRA formally withdrawing the Dog Managment Plan and Rule. The video also identifies specific ways for all dog walkers to be good canine citizens now and for the future! Check it out here https://youtu.be/_aGujNSglMo

Please share this video with friends, family members and your other dogggie friends…we want to keep the GGNRA areas off leash and a safe place for ALL visitors!

December 27, 2017

Today, a Notice in the Federal Register stated that the GGNRA’s Dog Managment Rule and Plan has been formally withdrawn.

Yesterday, CFDG sent a letter to the National Park Service requesting that they formally withdraw from the Dog Managment Proposed Rule AND that any language in the GGNRA’s General Managment Plan be “excised” so as that NPS can not come back and try to sneak in a Dog Management Plan or Rule unilaterally.

The other news is that NPS announced that Laura Joss will be the new GGNRA Superintendent. We hope that Ms. Joss will be community oriented and work well with all stakeholders…she has a big job ahead of her as to regain the public’s trust with GGNRA visitors, communities and neighborhoods.

October 19, 2017

Fantastic news today! In their press release today, NPS announced that it has permanently ended a planning and rulemaking process for the GGNRA’s Dog Mgt Plan and Rule.

While this is fantastic news, the NPS has still not signed the Record of Decision for this Rule yet. We will be pursuing this issue immediately.

CFDG has been working for the past 17 years on this issue and we want to thank all of our long standing supporters!

Date: October 19, 2017

WASHINGTON – Today, the National Park Service (NPS) announced it has permanently ended a planning and rulemaking process intended to establish new regulations related to dog management at Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in California. The decision follows the completion of an independent review of the dog rule planning and rulemaking process.

In its report, the independent review team concluded that the use of personal email by NPS employees to conduct official business was inappropriate, but the emails the team reviewed ultimately did not influence the outcome of the planning and rulemaking process. However, NPS officials, with the support of the Department of the Interior leadership, concluded that it is no longer appropriate to proceed with the rulemaking process.

“We can do better and in the interest of upholding the highest standard of transparency and trust with our Bay Area neighbors, we have determined that it is no longer appropriate to continue with the current dog management rulemaking process at Golden Gate National Recreation Area,” said NPS acting Director Michael Reynolds.

In January, the National Park Service asked an independent group of experts in government planning efforts to review the use of personal email accounts for official communications related to the Dog Management Plan planning and rulemaking process. Additionally, the NPS took several steps to educate staff about the importance of conducting official business using official email accounts. In May, a memo from Acting Director Reynolds was sent to every agency employee to highlight the importance of ethical behavior and appropriate use of email.

GGNRA will continue to enforce existing pet regulations detailed in a 1979 pet policy and the Superintendent’s Compendium. The current regulations allow visitors to walk managed dogs under voice or leash control in specific areas of the park. The nationwide National Park Service regulation requiring dogs to be on-leash will apply to areas not covered by the 1979 policy. The NPS has also adopted two special regulations that modify the 1979 policy for parts of Crissy Field and Ocean Beach. For the time being, the interim permit requirement for commercial dog walkers will remain in effect.

In 2002, the park began enforcing the National Park Service’s nationwide pet regulation, but a 2005 federal district court decision found that the park could not rescind its 1979 pet policy without first completing a rulemaking process. The park’s subsequent decision to examine alternatives to the 1979 pet policy triggered the Dog Management Plan environmental review and the associated rulemaking process. A final rule was anticipated in early 2017 but was placed on hold in January, pending completion of the NPS initiated independent review to determine whether the use of personal email by park employees affected the planning and rulemaking processes.

The report and the information that the review team considered are available to the public here. GGNRA’s existing pet regulations are available here.

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) released the following statement today after her amendment to prevent the National Park Service from restricting off-leash dog walking in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) near San Francisco passed the House of Representatives.

“I’m pleased that my amendment to stop the National Park Service (NPS) from restricting off-leash dog walking in Golden Gate National Recreation Area has passed the House. This is a 40-year tradition in the Bay Area, and the NPS’ attempts to ban it have been fraught with corruption and opaque decision making. I particularly thank my colleague and fellow dog lover, Congressman Jeff Denham, for co-sponsoring this amendment. We need to start from scratch in order to have a Dog Management Plan that respects the needs of all GGNRA users, even the furry four-legged ones.”

CFDG does NOT support or endorse leaving dog poop at Crissy Field as means of protest today or tomorrow.

CFDG has a long history of being a good canine citizen as we have cleaned up dog waste at Crissy Field for over 15 years as our volunteers regularly fill the doggie dispensers with poop bags that we provide.

While we respect everyone’s choice for their freedom of expression, there are many other constructive ways to protest.

August 23, 2017

Here is a list of 26 items that everyone should know that will NOT be allowed on Saturday August 26th at Crissy Field:

Firearms

Aerosol or pressurized canisters

Ammunition

Animals, other than working service animals

Backpacks or bags (exceeding 18x13x7 inches)

Bicycles

Balloons

Coolers

Drones

Explosives

Helmets

Glass, thermal or metal containers

Laser pointers

Mace or pepper spray

Packages

Selfie sticks

Signs (exceeding 24x36x1.25 inches)

Sticks or structures for signs or placards

Toy guns

Weapons of any kind

BBQ grills, propane tanks or open flames

Torches

Tents or canopies

Wagons or carts

Liquids (except drinking water in factory sealed clear bottles)

Other items determined to be safety hazards

We do know that the Patriot Prayer Rally is from 2-5pm at the West Bluff Bluff Picnic Area. And the only entrance to Crissy Field will be at Marina Blvd. This will be a check point and law enforcement staff will check your personal belongings.

We’ll keep everyone updated as soon as we know more information as to when law enforcement will be closing off Crissy Field and the Presidio with these conditions.

Please share this information with your doggie buddies, family and friends.

The GGNRA just released their statement (below), allowing for the Approval of First Amendment Event Applications at Crissy Field.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -

The National Park Service has a long and proud tradition of being the site of peaceful expressions of people’s views under the First Amendment to the US Constitution which guarantees everyone the right to gather together and express their opinions non-violently. We cannot deny a permit to anyone planning to exercise their First Amendment rights based on their political stance or beliefs. We can deny a permit application for public safety reasons if the event raises such significant public safety concerns that law enforcement cannot manage the event.

Today, NPS is approving five First Amendment permits for people to express their views in a non-violent way this weekend in San Francisco: On August 25: “People’s Town Hall Candlelight Vigil” and “People’s Town Hall Press Conference” on Crissy Field; on August 26: “Better Angels San Francisco” and “STOP HATE human banner” on Ocean Beach, and “Patriot Prayer” on Crissy Field.

We urge those planning to attend these events to share their views in a peaceful manner, to look out for each other, and to support law enforcement personnel to keep everyone safe. NPS respects the right to free speech, and in turn, we expect all participants to respect one another and this beautiful national park.

Planning for Safe and Peaceful Events

Many people have expressed concerns about safety related to the Patriot Prayer event. After consultation with other law enforcement colleagues, including the San Francisco Police Department, National Park Service law enforcement believe that whether a permit is issued or not, many people will come to Crissy Field on August 26 to express their opinions. Law enforcement advised that issuing a permit will increase their ability to ensure public safety. Accordingly, the National Park Service has decided to approve the permit with significant conditions to promote the peaceful, non-violent expression of views.

National Park Service law enforcement personnel from around the country are working together with the San Francisco Police Department to ensure safe events for all participants. In particular, NPS law enforcement personnel are working very closely with the SFPD on the Patriot Prayer First Amendment event. Any violence will not be tolerated.

Closures in the Presidio on August 26

To ensure public safety, portions of the Presidio and many businesses within the park will be closed to the public on August 26. Visitors to the Presidio are likely to experience traffic, road closures and other large event related impacts. We strongly encourage visitors who will not be attending the Patriot Prayer event to consider coming to the Presidio on another day.

For more detailed information on all the First Amendment permitted events in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on August 25 and 26, including the Patriot Prayer event permit restrictions and traffic plans, please visit www.nps.gov/goga. Please check back frequently, as we will be adding information throughout the week.

We are grateful for the collaboration of the San Francisco Police Department for their partnership in ensuring everyone’s safety. We also thank all of the local, state and federal public agency partners who have come to our assistance.

July 26, 2017

Here is Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s full statement (July 24, 2017) regarding bias in the development of the GGNRA’s Dog Mgt. Plan and Rule:

“Off-leash dog walking has been allowed in the GGNRA for 40 years and it’s a cherished activity for dog owners and dog walkers. I’ve said for years that a dog management plan without any off-leash areas in San Mateo County is unacceptable. Furthermore, the more recent revelations of the use of personal emails by National Park Service staff to influence the rulemaking process are deeply troubling. NPS employees appeared to show bias and acted improperly in advising the anti-dog walking side of this issue”.

July 24, 2017

Here is the link to KGO’s Channel 7 report regarding bias in the development of the GGNRA’s Dog Mgt. Plan and Rule issue: http://abc7news.com/2246908/

Congresswoman Jackie Speier issued a statement and CFDG’s Martha Walters was interviewed for this piece.

July 14, 2017

The Marin IJ released a story today about the NPS Review Panel and the GGNRA’s Mgt. Plan and Rule.

July 12, 2017

CFDG sent a letter today to Secretary Ryan Zinke, who is the head of the Department of Interior. This letter focuses on our deep concerns regarding the scope and composition of NPS’ Review Panel and requests for some specific actions.

The National Park Service takes our mandate to provide safe access to our parks to all visitors seriously. The National Park Service recognizes well-managed dog walking as a healthy and popular way to enjoy parklands.

Following the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Dog Management Plan at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in December 2016, we learned that a former employee used a personal email account to communicate with outside parties, and did not forward those communications to a government e-mail account.

Since that time, I have commissioned an independent review panel of three government officials from non-NPS federal agencies with expertise in environmental planning, rulemaking and National Environmental Policy Act procedures to review this use of personal email. I have requested they evaluate and report on how these emails may have impacted the planning, rulemaking process, and environmental impact study, and make recommendations on how best to proceed given the significant body of work to date – including thousands of comments and more than a decade of analysis.

I have given the review panel access to all records and information associated with the planning, rulemaking and environmental review conducted on the Dog Management Plan and asked that the panel deliver a report to me this summer. We intend to determine the National Park Service’s next steps related to dog management at GGNRA following the completion of the report, and we will report the results of the internal review to the public. Our goal is to restore trust in the process and proceed with transparency around this critical issue for the park and the community.

Following more than ten years of public engagement, including more than 4,100 comments, and investment in a process intended to balance the needs of all park users, the findings of this independent review team will help us determine the best path forward to meet the needs of all park visitors at Golden Gate NRA.

May 10, 2017

CFDG just found out the access for the central beach will be blocked starting in late May through June while the GGNRA continues to resurface the promenade. The specifics are outlined below:

SAN FRANCISCO— The first phase (Phase A) of a $5 million repair project to the Crissy Field Promenade is nearing completion. Construction crews will begin to lay the new and improved trail surface on the eastern end of the promenade (Phase A) later this week and expect to reopen this popular trail section adjacent to East Beach by late May.

Beginning next week, construction set-up and some closures will begin on the central section of the promenade (Phases B and C). Work on Phases B and C will now be combined to enhance public safety and expedite project time frames. The central promenade work is scheduled for completion by the end of June.

Park rangers ask all visitors and recreationalists to stay alert, follow detours and remain flexible to changing conditions as work progresses in the coming weeks. Detour signs as well as project information coordinators from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy will continue to be on-site during work hours to help visitors navigate dynamic detour routes and beach access points. During Phases B and C, cyclists and pedestrians will be rerouted off the promenade to the nearby Mason Street multi-use path. The beaches, marsh and airfield, as well as nearby Presidio destinations will remain open throughout construction.

The park had hoped to keep part of the promenade open for public use through Phase C while doing work on Phase B, but determined it would not be safe due to heavy trucks and construction equipment traveling through the central section of the promenade. Combining work will also allow crews to complete work on the central section of the promenade more quickly, shaving a predicted 15 to 30 days off the length of the project.

Harsh weather and high use have caused the promenade surface to degrade beyond simple repair. The project will completely remove the old decomposed granite and replace it with a more durable compacted shale material that is expected to perform better over time.

The promenade repair remains on schedule and expected to be complete by the end of the summer. For more information, FAQs, and maps, visit the project website at go.nps.gov/crissypromenade or find them on Flickr.

###

April 6, 2017

The GGNRA is resurfacing the promenade at Crissy Field for the next month or so. Currently, Phase A is underway adjacent to the East Beach parking area. We strongly encourage Professional Dog Walkers NOT to park or use the access area here until this phase of work is completed.

CFDG wants safe access for all visitors at Crissy Field during this construction period.

March 9, 2017

Here are a grouping of emails that the GGNRA recently released on their FOIA website.

These emails reveal that former GGNRA Superintendent Chris Lehnertz and Howard Levitt, former GGNRA Director of Communications and Partnerships, used their private email accounts for GGNRA-related matters on dog management planning, and in so doing, worked with people including Amy Meyer, Neal Desai, and Rebecca Evans, who have been vocal in their support of the GGNRA’s “preferred alternative” that would seriously restrict dog recreation on GGNRA lands.

In addition, the emails appear to show Lehnertz and Levitt helping to prepare Amy Meyer and others for their meeting with staff from Democratic Leader Pelosi’s office in 2015.

Just as troubling are statements from GGNRA staff biologist Bill Merkel, Ph.D., who in an internal email during the EIS process acknowledges that GGNRA lacked “good baseline information on most resources in relation to current low levels of dog management.” This is important as CFDG has been highlighting the lack of site-specific, peer-reviewed, or other adequate baseline studies since the environmental review process started in 2009. Without adequate baseline information, a meaningful assessment of actual impacts in the EIS is undermined at a foundational level.

All of these emails again illustrate the internal bias and unwillingness of certain GGNRA staff to conduct a proper EIS in compliance with NEPA (the core federal environmental review law for land use changes of this type), and to aid the opposing forces that support a restrictive dog management plan.

CFDG continues to believe a thorough and independent review of the propriety of the GGNRA’s actions is required before any other determinations can be made on this process. The emails described here, and previously produced by the GGNRA, demonstrate that the planning process and public comment were fatally undermined and are legally insufficient, due to fundamental bias against dog recreation and improper communications by GGNRA staff.

February 16, 2017

Earlier this week, Barbara Salzman from the Marin Audubon Society wrote an Op/Ed piece in the Marin IJ:

Smoother, drier Crissy Field Promenade on the way

Construction and detours begin mid-March 2017

SAN FRANCISCO—Say goodbye to potholes and puddles! Loved by more than 18 million visitors since it opened in 2001, the multi-use Crissy Field Promenade is about to get some much needed TLC. Construction is expected to begin mid-March and last through the summer. Work will occur in four phases to minimize impacts to visitors, but each phase will require detours. Also there will be on-going storm drain repair during this time.

Harsh weather and high use have caused the promenade surface to degrade beyond simple repair. The project will completely remove the old decomposed granite and replace it with a more durable compacted shale material. The new trail will look and feel similar to the existing surface but is expected to perform better over time. This means a smoother, drier run, stroll or bike for years to come!

Detour signs as well as project information coordinators will direct park visitors around the construction zone. The beaches, marsh and airfield, as well as nearby Presidio destinations will remain open. The Mason Street bicycle and pedestrian path is the recommended route for all bicyclists traveling along the Bay Trail.

January 27, 2017

The Crissy Field Dog Group is proud to be partnering with the Bow Wow Film Fest! A fun, family event that supports local dog rescues.

Please plan to join us for a delightful evening to celebrate our beloved canine companions and all the joy they bring to our lives! The films this year feature pups as adventure buddies, service dogs and lifelong pals. Come laugh and cheer and maybe even tear up a bit as we marvel in all the ways these beloved furry creatures touch our lives!Proceeds benefit Benefits Wonder Dog Rescue & San Francisco Aid for Animals

Fri, Feb 3, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

SOMArts Center 934 Brannan St

The San Francisco event will be held at the amazing SOMArts Center Theatre!
Doors open at 6 and the movies start at 7!

Silent auction

Exciting Raffle

Light snacks

Fun dog-themed beverages

And a few pups!!

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kiddos 12 and under. At the door tickets will be $25 for adults and $10 for 12 and under.

Come on out for a fun evening! Watch some awesome flicks and win great schwag while supporting valuable animal rescue organizations!

See you at the show!

January 23, 2017

On January 20, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order to freeze regulations in the federal government. This means that the GGNRA’s Dog Management Plan/Rule can not be promulgated for at least 60 or more days.

CFDG will continue to track and monitor this process.

January 12, 2017

The recent winter storms have left a lot of debris at Central Beach including large pieces of wood, plastic, glass bottles, etc.

It would be helpful when you walk your dog at Crissy Field to bring extra bags from home to help clean it up and encourage other visitors to help too!

Thank you

January 10, 2017 evening:

CFDG sent a letter to NPS’ Director this evening outlining our deep concerns about the GGNRA Dog Management Plan process and suggestions for a constructive path forward. Here is the link to our letter:

This afternoon, Rep. Jackie Speier sent a letter to the Dept. of Interior’s Inspector General’s office requesting an independent inquiry into “improper activity” of a former GGNRA employee during the federal environmental review process for dog management in the GGNRA. CFDG fully supports Rep. Speier’s request for a truly independent inquiry.

Stay tuned.

January 10, 2017 morning:

Today, the GGNRA put the Dog Management Plan and Rule on “Hold” for the near future.

While this is very welcomed news, CFDG will continue to work on this issue, to examine the results of the “independent review” and the path forward with the GGNRA.

Please see the press release below:

National Park Service Places Hold on Rule for Dog Management at Golden Gate National Recreation Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The National Park Service is putting on hold the signing of the Record of Decision and the publication of the Final Rule for Dog Management at Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

The decision comes in response to requests from members of Congress to extend the waiting period for the Final Environmental Impact Statement. This pause will also allow the National Park Service to conduct a review of certain records being released in response to an ongoing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request related to the park’s Dog Management plan and rule.

To date, the National Park Service has released more than 260,000 pages of documents dating as far back as 1999 in response to the FOIA request. As part of its ongoing release of records under FOIA, in late-December 2016, the Park Service learned that a former park employee had used personal email for official communications related to the Dog Management Plan planning process. Upon learning this, the Park Service contacted the former employee and obtained his cooperation to conduct a search of his personal email accounts for agency records related to the Dog Management Plan planning process. As a result of that search, the Park Service recovered approximately 137 pages of emails that were responsive to the FOIA request. Those FOIA records will be released and posted today at https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/management/dog-management-records.htm, “Records Released January, 2017”.

The Park Service will conduct an independent inquiry into whether personal email was used in a manner that is not consistent with applicable laws and policies, and if so, whether its use affected the planning and rulemaking processes. The Park Service will report the results of the internal review to the public. To help ensure an independent and impartial review, the inquiry will be conducted by National Park Service personnel who were not involved in the dog management planning process.

Further action under the National Environmental Policy Act and the rulemaking process for the Dog Management Plan will await the findings and conclusions of the independent review.

As of this moment, we still have not heard if the GGNRA will grant the 30 day extension to their comment period.

December 22, 2016

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (SF), Congresswoman Jackie Speier (San Mateo/SF) and Congressman Jared Huffman (Marin) all sent letters to the GGNRA and the Department of Interior recently requesting a 30 day extension to their comment period. We want to thank them all for understanding our deep concerns about the current Dog Management Plan.

Also, CFDG released a video that we want you to share with your friends and family members…we need to you write the GGNRA and let them that their restrictions for dog walking are not acceptable. Here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/PA0AstZkRRc

Crissy Field: East Beach is still no dogs and NPS added just a little more land for the grassy airfield.

Baker Beach: dogs on leash only

And other areas in SF, Marin and San Mateo did not see many changes either.

Our legal team and board continue to work different angles right now.

We are deeply concerned that NPS has not listened and incorporated our significant concerns.

Stayed tuned.

November 15, 2016

Below is the communication we just received from the GGNRA regarding the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). We are trying to find out the exact timing of the release of this very important document. We will keep you posted when we have an update.

Dog Management Planning Update

Fall 2016

The National Park Service expects to enter the final planning stages in the development of a Dog Management Plan and Final Rule for Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in the coming months.

A Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is anticipated to be released this winter; the FEIS will analyze alternative approaches to dog management and recommend a Preferred Alternative. The Final Rule for dog management will go into effect following a period of public outreach, education and the installation of signage.

GGNRA recognizes well-managed dog walking is a healthy and popular way to enjoy park lands. You can see a history and timeline of the dog management planning process here.

We will announce when the FEIS is available using this email list and our website, among other methods. If you have questions

October 17, 2016

CFDG sent a letter to the Department of Interior today, requesting that the GGNRA issue a “revised” Dog Management Rule, citing case law examples. Here is a copy of the letter we sent today:

July 20, 2016

The dog rinse station at Crissy Field’s East Beach will be re-opened tomorrow, Thursday July 21st. Martha Walters, CFDG’s Chair, has been working with the GGNRA to get both the dog rinse station and board sailors’ rinse station re-opened for our user groups.

And as we discussed with the GGNRA, we encourage each and everyone of you to be mindful of using the rinse station and minimize how much water you use to clean your doggies.

The other news is that Chris Lehnertz, GGNRA’s Superintendent, is being reassigned to Grand Canyon National Park. For those folks who haven’t been following the sexual harassment issues in the National Park Service, we have a link below to NPS Travelers who provides a good summary of what has happened over the past several months.

Below is the link to Congresswoman Speier’s Facebook page which describes the amendment to defund the GGNRA Dog Management Plan/Rule.

Be sure to “like” her and/or say thank you…she has been a real champion for this cause!

As of yesterday, this Interior Bill (5538) passed in the House but since Congress is now in recess, the Senate will vote on the Bill in September.

And as we mentioned earlier, in all likelihood, the Senate will pass this Bill but it is highly unlikely that the President will sign the Bill due to a number of controversial issues in it.

It does send a very clear message to NPS and Interior that Congress is very unhappy about what they are doing out here on this issue in the San Francisco Bay Area.

July 13, 2016

YAY! Congresswoman Speier’s amendment to not fund the GGNRA’s Proposed Rule for Dog Management PASSED tonight as part of HR 5538. The fate of this amendment rests with the passage of this Bill.

The amendment passed entirely unopposed.

However, this bipartisan amendment sends a clear message to NPS and Interior to take our concerns and public comments seriously.

We will keep everyone posted as to how this amendment process plays out.

Please let Congresswoman Speier know how much you appreciate her efforts. Go to speier.house.gov and THANK her!

July 8, 2016

Congresswoman Jackie Speier submitted an amendment to H.R. 5538 (U. S. Interior Bill) which states that “None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to facilitate, implement, administer or enforce” the GGNRA’s Proposed Rule, “published in the Federal Register on February 24, 2016″. We do not know when this Bill will be voted on and will keep this website updated.

Please thank her for her continued efforts in supporting us to retain dog walking recreation in the GGNRA! Go to speier.house.gov and THANK her!

June 3, 2016

The GGNRA released the following information today about the timeline associated with their Dog Management process. And again, we believe that NPS/GGNRA will need to issue a revised or another draft rule to address CFDG’s serious concerns that we have articulated in our letters to them regarding the serious flaws in their Proposed Rule.

In the fall, a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) will be released which will include responses to comments on the SEIS and describe the preferred alternative. We anticipate a Record of Decision and Final Rule (with responses to comments on the Proposed Rule) in the winter of 2016-2017. GGNRA will then begin public education and implementation of the rule.

Thank you to those who submitted comments on the Proposed Rule. We appreciate your participation in the process. You can expect periodic updates over the next several months. For more information on dog management planning, please visit our website.

To request alternate formats of this email, or general accessibility information, please visit our park accessibility website, email goga_accessibility@nps.gov or call (415) 561-4958. Individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf/blind or have speech disabilities may utilize the Federal Relay Service number (800) 877-8339.

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICATM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

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May 25, 2016

CFDG submitted our second and final letter to the GGNRA. We hope the NPS takes our letters seriously.

Based upon the very flawed NPS Proposed Rule for Dog Management, we recommend that NPS “reconcile” these serious flaws and release a “Revised Rule” with a minimum of a 90 day public comment period which reflects a peer reviewed science based Rule so we can continue to co-exist with the other users of the GGNRA.

May 23, 2016

Last chance to get your comments letters in…the deadline is this Wednesday, May 25th…8:59pm our time!

Below is the link to comment on-line the GGNRA’s Proposed Rule for Dog Management.Be sure to include the RIN-1024-AE16 number on your letter and envelope. The end of the public comment period is May 25th!

Be sure to include the RIN-1024-AE16 number on your letter and envelope.

May 20, 2016

CFDG just submitted our letter (from our attorneys K and L Gates), with input from Martha Walters and Gary Fergus, to the GGNRA regarding the Proposed Rule for Dog Management in the GGNRA. We will be submitting another letter next week too.

In mid March, the GGNRA announced a fast-tracked project to reconfigure the East Beach parking lot and resurface the promenade with composite shale and repair storm drainage at Crissy Field as part of the National Park Service’s Centennial event. We attended a “field event” at Crissy Field, and after reading and reviewing the proposal, we discovered that it would result in some unwanted changes (see below). While they denied our request to extend the two-week comment period, we submitted substantive arguments why the parking lot changes should be allowed ample time for broader public comment. Our board agreed with proposed plans to repair storm drainage on the path and resurface the promenade with composite shale.

GGNRA Proposed Parking Lot Changes:

– Reconfigure the parking lot so that it would move the promenade back 30 feet from the retaining wall;

- Pave the entire parking lot and move the parking slots to the east, making access in and out of vehicles more dangerous and dangerous for people walking on foot with picnic supplies, dogs, etc.;

- Eliminate the large area west of the bathrooms where the Commercial Dog Walkers park their vehicles and keep their dogs safe;

- Remove the staging area used by the board sailors, leaving them no safe place to put together their equipment.

CFDG Board member Gary Fergus and CFDG Chair Martha Walters met with GGNRA staff to discuss these concerns. CFDG also partnered with the SF Boardsailors to articulate our serious concerns about the proposal and the speed in which the GGNRA wanted to move this project without proper public comment and input.

Attached is the letter and map (Gary created!) that CFDG submitted and the SF Board sailors’ letter. Over 100 people submitted written comments articulating their concerns to the GGNRA about this issue. Also attached is the GGNRA’s reply memorandum that only allows for the resurfacing of the promenade and work they need to do on storm drainage issues at Crissy Field and no reconfiguration of the East Beach parking lot at this time.

As a result of our meeting and protest, the GGNRA agreed to go through a more detailed land use process to assess and develop an acceptable plan in the parking lot. This process will allow the public to participate in deciding what will happen in the East Beach parking lot, so stay tuned.

We wanted to let you know that the Mighty Mutt March today was a huge success…we estimated that around 1000-1500 folks marched, listened to speakers like SF Supervisor Scott Wiener and SF SPCA Co-President Jennifer Scarlett, enjoyed the yummy food from the two food trucks, danced to the fun live music and all of the doggies enjoyed it too! It was a peaceful and fun event.

Below are some media links that we have received so far and with more to come…

Save Our Recreation files a lawsuit against the GGNRA about FOIA issues: go to News Top Stories for more details.

CFDG Public Comment Writing Workshops:

CFDG will be hosting two public comment workshops about how to best write your comments regarding the GGNRA’s Proposed rule with Ash Miller, our attorney, and Gary Fergus CFDG Board member.

Here is the link for CFDG’s Flyer for these two workshops CFDG_flyer. Please pass these around far and wide!

The first workshop will be held on:

Monday April 11th at Calvary Presbyterian Church (corner of Jackson and Fillmore Streets) from 6:30 to 8:30pm

and the second workshop will be held on:

Tuesday April 12th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the San Francisco SPCA, 201 Alabama Street.

Wake up! The GGNRA wants to close many areas like Crissy Field, Baker Beach, Marin Headlands, Muir Beach, Sweeney Ridge and Rancho Corral de Terra to dog walking…Below is CFDG’s video on the proposed rule making and how you can write and submit comments. Get involved…Take action!

Go to our News/Top Stories page for a recap of the Proposed Rule at Crissy Field and other areas within the GGNRA that will be affected if the Rule gets finalized…thanks to Save off Leash for some of the content!

The GGNRA released the Proposed Rule for Dog Management today and it’s looking pretty grim for off leash spaces in the proposed rule. Here is the link to the rule…www.regulations.gov. You can read and comment on the Proposed Rule there.

As far as Crissy Field goes, only the central beach and part of the grassy airfield will be open for off leash. So, that means east and west beaches will be closed, the promenade, parking lots and another part of the grassy airfield.

And the GGNRA has agreed to extend the public comment period to 90 days, instead of 60 days.

We will post more information as we know it.

CFDG will host a “How to write an effective public comment” session in San Francisco, probably in late March. Ash Miller, CFDG’s attorney will lead this important session.

KPIX, CBS’ Channel 5 produced an excellent segment about how the GGNRA’s Dog Mgt Plan could have a very negative impact on SF City’s parks and other open space areas within GGNRA lands for dogs and their owners. SF Supervisor Scott Wiener is interviewed in this piece. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vGvvfe7DyM (aired on November 3, 2015)

The Crissy Field Dog Group has created many videos about preserving off leash dog walking and recreation access at Crissy Field and other areas within GGNRA lands in Marin, SF, and San Mateo counties. You can go to You Tube and search “Crissy Field Dog Group” to view our catalogue of videos.

Check out CFDG’s video about the Proposed rule:

If there is an emergency or a marine mammal is on the beach or in distress, please call the National Park Service’s dispatch number, 415 561-5510